Associate of Science (Fort Jackson), A.S.

Overview

The USC Fort Jackson Program is designed for and awards Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees to active-duty military personnel (all branches), their family members, Department of Defense civilian employees, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans. Civilians, including Columbia-campus students, are welcome to take courses on a space-available basis, but they may not earn these associate degrees.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Identify and analyze issues, develop logical and persuasive arguments, and communicate ideas clearly for a variety of audiences and purposes through writing.

2. Electives for A.S. Degrees (18-22 Hours)

Electives may be any additional courses not used to fulfill the previously stated requirements. Students who intend to apply these credits toward a baccalaureate degree awarded by another campus or institution are advised to work closely with an academic advisor to choose electives that will meet preliminary requirements of the four-year major they wish to pursue. Of particular importance is completion of general education requirements. USC Columbia requires a minimum of 31 general education credit hours and a student planning to pursue a USC Columbia baccalaureate degree must complete these hours. These hours can be incorporated within the 60 hours required for an AA or AS degree when electives are carefully selected. Applying for an associate’s degree does not in any manner affect eligibility to apply for a baccalaureate degree, and vice versa.

Other Requirements:

In addition to the requirements for the A.A. and A.S. degrees stated above, the following stipulations also apply:

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better (does not include course grades earned by challenge examinations).

The final 15 semester hours must be earned at USC.

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees.

Pass-Fail option on elective courses is allowed.

No more than 15 hours of nontraditional credits, which include DANTES, CLEP, and military experience.

Second Associate's Degree

At times the University of South Carolina Ft. Jackson confers a second associate’s degree upon candidates who have completed all requirements for the second degree, provided that the additional requirements for the second degree include a minimum of 12 semester hours beyond those required for the first degree earned at USC Ft. Jackson and a minimum of 72 semester hours total. Under this policy a student may apply for two degrees at one time or separately. In either case the student would receive two diplomas.